I agree the -31 for Syrian awacs duty is like trying to jam a size 11 foot into a size 9 shoe in most respects.  However it addresses two key parameters from the Syrian requirements point of view.  One, the -31 is designed to search large volumes of air at long range.  Two, it's rapidly relocatable and survivable due to its acceleration at altitude.  This complicates Israeli planning because a -31 is the one Syrian surveillance asset that might appear anywhere along the axis of attack and with little warning.  Unlike a true awacs that flies racetracks and can be skirted.  Obviously there are severe limitations with employing a mere 1-5 a/c for mini-awacs duty; but the Iranian experience, born from desperation, teaches that an interceptor equipped with a powerful radar does have the potential to disrupt raids and communicate information to other defense assets without being easily mitigated.  It's my belief that if the Syrians were only dick-waving that they would have purchased new rockets, not interceptors.  Sorry if I appear obstinate - I have no dog in this fight.

v^2

Valid points and interesting speculation as to ASM.  You'd think the Syrians would buy Sukhoi for naval or ground attack.

In a prior post I suggested the -31s may carry external fuel and acknowledged they could not be used for persistent surveillance. They are wrong for the awacs job and for Syrian geography except as to radar coverage, which the Syrians need to plug and they can't do it from the ground alone.

I doubt Israeli F-15s would leave their package to chase fleeing -31s.  It would expose them too much assuming the -31s could turn away in the first place. 

I'll give this thread a rest for now.  We'll see what, if anything, actually develops.  Thank you for your reply, it's good to see you here.

v^2